Charlie, 15, left school with his backpack dangling, the parking lot buzzing with students. His friend Jake mentioned a new test, but Charlie was distracted. “Another one? I’m so done,” he sighed. Jake laughed, but Charlie’s mood darkened when he saw his mom wasn’t there. “Late again,” he muttered. Jake shared that his parents got him a car for his birthday, sparking Charlie’s jealousy. “A car? Lucky you,” he said, bitterness creeping in. Jake advised gratitude, but Charlie scoffed as Jake headed to his new ride.
When his mom, Emily, honked, Charlie slumped into her car. “Sorry, I got held up,” she said. “You’re always late,” he replied, staring out the window. He brought up Jake’s car, asking for one for his birthday. Emily said she had a gift planned but couldn’t afford a car yet. “Years from now? That’s not fair,” Charlie grumbled, feeling left behind. Emily’s soft apology didn’t help, and they drove home in silence. She mentioned errands and left, her calmness nagging at Charlie’s curiosity.
Alone, Charlie snuck into Emily’s room, opening her laptop. Among emails, he found one about a birthday delivery, followed by 14 more for future years. Puzzled, he found a storage unit key in her desk. His heart pounded as he biked to the unit, unlocking it to find wrapped gifts, each with Emily’s handwritten notes. One read: “Happy 16th, my star. This camera’s for your adventures.” Another, on a small box, stopped him cold: “If you’re reading this, I may be gone. My cancer’s untreatable, but I wanted to be part of your birthdays.”
Tears blurred Charlie’s vision as he realized Emily’s gifts were her way of staying close after she was gone. He locked the unit, biking home with a heavy heart. Emily was reading when he entered, his face tear-streaked. “What’s wrong?” she asked, worried. Charlie hugged her, sobbing, “I saw the gifts. Why didn’t you tell me?” Emily’s eyes filled with tears. “There’s no cure, Charlie.” He clung to her. “I don’t care about gifts. I just want you.” They cried together, Emily whispering, “I love you.” Charlie learned that love outshines any present, vowing to cherish every moment with her.
